Gardens to visit up north

[Di]

My holiday this year is going to be a series of visits to friends and family going up from Bristol to Manchester, then Sunderland and then back south via Liecester. I'm planning in enough time to stop along the way and wondered if you could recomend gardens to visit en route. I have RHS and Nat Trust memberships, so if I can get in for free all the better.

Ta

[Catherine]

Hi Di I can definately recommend Harlow Carr near Harrogate. Dont know if that will be too far out for your travels. Try to go early in the day as it seems to get busy in the afternoon. The alpine houses are wonderful.

The gardens are lovely and they have a bird hide where you can spend time in peace and quiet.

Do take food because the cafe is very expensive.

[mandylew]

theres an arboretum in thirsk, thorpe perrow, thats nice.

[Gerry]

Hi Di,
Ness Gardens on the Wirral. They are the Liverpool University Botanic Gardens.
Regards, Gerry.

[Geoff]

If you are in South Manchester you could try Dunham Massey and Tatton Park. I like the flower gardens at DM but TP is huge with all sorts including a Japanese garden. They have a walled veg garden they have been restoring but it was a little disappointing when I was there a couple of years ago as there were labels like "Carrots" when you really needed to know the variety. I agree with Harlow Carr and that is quite a sensible route from Manchester to Sunderland. If you like landscape gardens as well as plant gardens you could also try Fountains Abbey / Studley Royal. On the way back via Leicester I think you may be able to take in Clumber Park but I haven't got a map to hand so I'm not quite sure.

[PLUMPUDDING]

I'd also recommend Harlow Carr - and don't bother taking food, the Betty's teashop on site has the most delicious cakes etc.

The gardens have something interesting all year round - I usually go for my birthday treat at the end of February, and they have done a huge amount of work extending and improving the gardens over the last two or three years - something for everyone.

[Di]

Thanks for the suggestions, Harlow Carr definately in my plans now, and I'll squeeze the others in too.

[sally wright]

Dear Di,
there are plenty of gardens to visit in NY. My personal favourites are Benningborough hall near York and Studley Royal/Fountains Abbey both are NT.

These are also magnificent gardens but are still in private hands so they will cost you but I feel they will be well worth it as they are gardens of such quality they should not be missed. Castle Howard, east of York. Harewood House and Newby Hall northwest of York.

I don't know why it is but there are not all that many country houses in NY that are NT. Most seem to be still in private hands.

If you can you should call in at Chatsworth in derbyshire(private), Clumber park (NT) near Nottingham. If you are going past Leicester then the university botanic gardens at oadby next to the racecourse and are not only free but rather nice too.

I found a website called britain's finest which may give you some more ideas.
Regards Sally Wright.

[Di]

Thanks Sally, so many to see! My friends and family may have to be dragged to some or I simply skip those pesky visits and just go to the gardens.